User Reviews for Pristiq

The following information is NOT intended to endorse drugs or recommend therapy. While these reviews might be helpful, they are not a substitute for the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgement of healthcare practitioners in patient care.

Reviews for Pristiq

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For Depression"Pristiq has helped me keep my life together. Before Pristiq I would break down so easily. Pristiq has restored my confidence in myself and has leveled out my moods. I still have a lot of days where I don't have any energy or want to do anything but there are a lot less of those days than before. I've been on 100 mg. for a year now."

For Depression"Pristiq is the first medication that worked for me and my brains scattered chemical imbalance issues.
I had tried 3 other types of medication over 8 years, interspersed. While they had helped, even a combination of pills did not cover all that was required with my brain and it's issues.
I have to say that this is quite a strong drug. Also, note the possible side-effects before you start. I, myself, did not any of the side-effects the manufacturer mentioned but when I became pregnant and was breastfeeding I did have to wean off of the medication for safety reasons, obviously, and I did notice a slight withdrawal. Do not stop taking this medication suddenly. It, most likely, will not feel good if you do! As stated, it's strong."

For Major Depressive Disorder"I suffer from GAD, what is depression, anxiety and insomnia. The episode started in March 2015. I felt tiredness every day. I increased my physical activity to make my body triger to relax. It did not work. Within three months my diptession got worse. I felt anxiety, discomfort in my body, tiredness, lost interest to my favorit activities, in other words I survived.Then at the end of May I started taking Quaetepine 1 tab before night. It made me sleep 4-5 hrs at night. Then I splited 50mg of Pristiq into 4 parts (12.5 mg) and took them for 4 days. Next 4 days I was taking 25mg. Then 50 mg next 12 days. Now I am on 100 mg. After 45 days I felt good relief. It worked! But I felt aweful all time before. I experiensed lots of side effects."

For Depression"Took with tramadol. First two days was fine and had a blast of energy! Then felt I was having allergic reaction. I switched the pristiq to night time before bed and took the tramadol in the morning and afternoon instead of at the same time. Problems solved and no issues. After nearly a month of use I am starting to feel tired again and flat as opposed to the energy I was feeling when I first started. The veterans administration covers my cost. It just recently got approved but still requires a special authorization."

For Depression"I take prestiq for anxiety (first) & depression. I don't know what the true definition of "normal" is but, this is the closest I've felt to it in quite some time. My most recent attempt of feeling "normal" was with 8 years/ lexapro. My concentration level was on point & my anxiety level was low but, the zombie like feel, the lack of sex drive & weight gain eventually drove me to find an alternative. After several failed attempts with various other options, I can say that prestiq has proven to disprove most, if not all, of my concerns. Yes, I still get fiery mad at times (with good reason) but, it's controllable. Yes, I still get sad/anxious but, there are tangible reasons & I am now able to pull myself out a lot sooner."

For Depression"I've been taking Pristiq for one week. My extreme sensitivity to Meds of this type has been long proven. Knowing me well and willing to work with me my Dr has me on 25 mg Pristiq in the morning with food every other day. I've had ups and downs this first week but am trying to stay positive. I have moments of feeling well and hope they continue to expand. I hope I don't have issues with every other day dosing causing withdrawal in between doses. I also have discovered that drinking coffee with Pristiq heightens my anxiety."

For Depression"My Doctor put me one 100 mgs once in the morning and I could tell a huge difference in the way I felt, for the first time I felt like I could breathe, I could see colors again, the tree's, the flower's everything changed from grey to vivid brightness, however this effect was not immediate. I was taking 120 mg's of Cymbalta, 2 60 mg caps. a day, when this was the medicine I was one for years, I fought a good fight with doctor's over years and years. They were telling me I was Bi-Polor and I believed them. It took one great doctor 15 minutes to change my life. I have been on Pristiq 100 mg's for going on 3 years know and I love life again, I can't wait to wake up early in the morning and watch the sunrise and I found out that I wasn't bipolor"

For Depression"I had the DNA test to see what would work best for me. I have used Paxil with great success for 2 years, it started working immediately but was the first SSRI I ever took, Then it stopped working. I switched to Lexapro and turned into a crazy person. Then I had the DNA test and the only 2 in the red zone (ABSOLUTELY do NOT take) for me based on my DNA was Lexapro and Celexa so My Dr took me off immediately and put me on Pristiq. The first day I felt better but by the third day, not so much. I have only been on a week so it's too soon to tell but I don't have any side effects except nightmares but they aren't nearly as bad as they were with the Lexapro. I also had a pet die and a family issue this week so it is hard to judge at this point."

For Depression"I am currently 21 years old, but started taking Pristiq a few years ago. I had previously tried Prozac, then Effexor, but I couldn't see much of a difference. Once I started taking Pristiq 50mg, I felt the results within the same week. It was great. However, whenever I missed a day I would feel the adverse side effects almost immediately. Brain zaps, depersonalization, dizziness, foggy thoughts, nausea, sweating, crying spells, headaches... I eventually got off of it (I honestly don't know how) but it was a very difficult 2-week process. Two years later I am back on wellbutrin (after a bad experience with lexapro). Pristiq was definitely effective but extremely addictive. Not something I'd recommend without reservation."

For Depression"I've been on a dose of 200mg for nearly 8 months and I know I couldn't function with out it. It helps level your emotions out, take some control of your life again. Addictive? To some degree yes. It let's you feel normal again and that's a feeling I know I'd do anything to hang on to."

For Depression"first I was on sertraline and then my GP switched me to Pristiq because sertraline wasn't the right med for me and pristiq started to kick in within less than a week the drug is definitely working for me and I think I need higher dosage."

For Major Depressive Disorder"General mood levelling, couldn't really feel any emotion which became monotonous & unbearable. Also not recommended if you have an eating disorder & cannot always force yourself to have it with food. Caused crippling nausea & copious amounts of excess gas to sit in my stomach, this still hasn't left after more than a year of stopping. Not for everyone."

For Depression"Pristiq has worked great for me for anxiety and depression two separate times throughout my life when I was put on other ADs and they didn't work as they should, including Prozac and Cymbalta. Takes awhile to get stable in your system but after about 6 months I was back to myself. Definitely recommend, the only con for me is that if you miss a pill you can definitely tell. I get wierd dreams if I miss a pill and feel grogy and irritable. When I had been on prozac missing a pill was never noticeable. Also, it is more expensive as there is no generic. It is worth it to me however to have something that fully works! Good luck to you!"

For Depression"Pristiq has been a miracle for me. I had depression, anxiety disorder and panic attack disorder. I had tried many other medications, gained 50lbs, and was still mentally a mess. I had to take over a year off of school because I couldnt handle the stress. I started Pristiq and within a week i noticed I was no longer crying at the drop of a hat, was better able to concentrate and was actually feeling so much better in my mood. Ive been taking it for over a year now, ive lost 40 of the 50lbs i gained on my previous medication, and im back at school and doing great. I credit Pristiq with all of my recovery.
For the first 2 weeks of Prestiq i had a side effect of insomnia, but that went away after 2 weeks, it was no big deal."

For Depression"hello, I am a 24 year old male who has been dealing with depression, anxiety, and lack of focus in my life four a couple years now. After a recommendation from a friend i decided to make a change and start on 50mg of prestiq. Im a relatively small person 5'5 130 pounds and immediately felt the effects of the medication. I had a huge surge of energy that was a little overwhelming. I was much more sociable and confident, also my curiosity was dramatically increased and i managed to blaze through several books in a weeks time. This was a huge shift in my normal behavior which was generally lazy and unfocused. Now I've been on the drug for about 3 months and the effects aren't as noticeable but I'd say my life has changed for the better."

For Depression"I have nothing but amazing things to say about Pristiq. I went through a 5-year toxic relationship, lost everything including myself, tried to rebuild my life after leaving him but could not stop feeling 'heavy'. Felt numb. Had anxiety, could not sleep and pretty much felt like I was living in the dark. Went to see doc, started with 50 - no side effects so after 2 weeks he upped to 100mg and after three weeks I started to feel better and after a month I was truly amazed. Its been just over three months and I feel better than ever. I can't believe I suffered for so long. Sometimes, despite our best efforts, it just isn't enough! Best thing I ever did for myself. Thank god for health benefits! Its expensive!"

For Depression"Was put on pristiq around 8 months ago for severe anxiety/panic attacks. I couldn't even drop my kids at school without a panic attack and we live a minute from the school, I didn't wanna do anything go anywhere it was affecting my kids, my marriage, everything. Now I have my life back I put off going to the doc for a year, I wish I hadn't. I can function again. I did have to up my dose after about a month to 100mg and I still have a day here or there that I can feel my anxiety bubbling under the surface but it's nothing like it was it's manageable."

For Depression"I have been on Pristiq now for about 15 months. I started on 50mg, which only worked for part of the day, I had to be bumped up to 100mg. I can't remember any immediate side effects, apart from maybe a little headache and dilated pupils due to a sudden burst of energy. They give you a burst of adrenaline. Now the medication has well and truly settled into my system, my body and mind now rely on it for me to actually function. If I miss a morning pill, by mid afternoon I am grouchy, prone to mood swings, tired and sleepy. If I miss two days, I am severely tired, sad, prone to rage and severe swings of depression. I have severe photosensitivity if I miss a pill. I have tripled the freckles on my body, my eyes cannot deal with bright lights."

For Depression"I started this medication for Bulimia. It worked - partially. From the day I took it I did not purge the entire time I was on it. I still binged though, and I gained weight. I didn't have an urge to exercise and ultimately that is why I am going off it. As well as the lack of energy, motivation and interest to exercise, that spilled over into the rest of my life.
I lost interest in socializing, working, cleaning, cooking (very hard to just do anyways), I stopped sleeping, and after a year I didn't want to even watch tv or read. It's VERY hard to get off of and I insist people read reviews on withdrawing. It's been tough physically although I feel better mentally already. It served its purpose, but I should have gone off it after 6 months."

For Depression"Pristiq is awesome so far.Don't reject it bcs it is nearly identical to Effexor. Effexor caused extreme sweating.I would stand in front of a forceful fan while dressing, and still be drenched!My doc told me I might not have that with pristiq and I don't! I am just over 6 weeks, and it took a full 4 weeks to kick in.The first couple of days I felt great, calm and happy, and got hopeful, but then slid back into the dark place.But I kept going and at 4 wks I suddenly one day woke up and started planning fun outings for my teen, after months of sofa lounging. 100mg, F, 56, 135lbs.Tried prozac (allergic), paxil (weight gain), effex (sweating), lexapro (out of dark place, but flat).I hear it's hell to stop, but I'm not going to stop. Why wld I?"

For Depression"On my first day of Pristiq, I noticed an immediate surge of energy (coupled with a racing heart and a feeling of disorientation). I am somewhat sensitive to mediciations generally so I was prepared to inherit some of the side effects.
What I have experienced in my first week is tiredness, irritability/difficult sleeping, grinding teeth, nausea (vomited 5 times on night 1, which settled on second day), loss of appetite and general stiffness around my neck and back.
I trust these symptoms will settle in the coming weeks but thought it may be valuable to share my first week, for those who are a little sensitive to medication.
In regards to my mental state, I can safely say my mood has been moderately chilled, unfazed and without any anxiety."

For Major Depressive Disorder"The first two days on Pristiq I felt really heavy and out of it. I knew it was working when the initial shock to my body passed - I was ready to give something a chance for my anxiety and major depression. So, two weeks on it I'm starting to feel a lot happier. but there has been some slight apprehension along the way due to some side effects: constipation and worried about other potential SE's from SNRI's but this medication seems to be pretty mild (50mg) and has been helping to level out my Serotonin - norepinephrine levels."